TV ratings: Barbara Walters wins, ‘Sing-Off’ tops ‘X Factor’ again

It looks like Barbara Walters was fascinating enough to give ABC a ratings win Wednesday night.

“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2013” drew 8.84-million viewers on average and a rating of 2.1 in the key 18-to-49 demographic, making it the highest-rated telecast of the night on the major networks, according to Nielsen.

Viewership for the retiring news veteran’s last “Most Fascinating People” special, which revealed Hillary Rodham Clinton as the most fascinating person of the last 12 months, increased its total viewership from last year and was about flat among advertiser-desired young adults.

Besides the Walters special, ABC was all reruns and won the night in total viewership and the key demo.

PHOTOS: Cable versus broadcast ratings

NBC’s revived musical competition “The Sing-Off” fell 11% from last week in 18-to-49 to a 1.6, though it still topped Fox’s “X Factor” performance finale. “Michael Bublé’s 3rd Annual Christmas Special” fell a bit from last year to a 1.3.

“The X Factor’s” competition finale drew a 1.3 rating among 18-to-49-year-olds as the finalists squared off, down slightly from last week but way down from last year’s 2.7. That’s a 52% decline. Total viewership fell 40% year-over-year to last night’s average of about 5 million. “X Factor” reveals its winner Thursday night.

CBS’ “15th Annual Home for the Holidays” special, hosted by Celine Dion and intended to raise awareness for adoption and foster children, brought in 4.89-million viewers and a 0.6 rating, down 25% from last year’s telecast. CBS aired reruns for the rest of prime time.

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ryan.faughnder@latimes.com